• Endometriosis UK has accredited Aston University as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer
• The accreditation recognises Aston’s efforts to support employees with the condition and ensure managers are aware of the condition’s impact
• The University has appointed seven Endo Champions to raise awareness and offer support, including Aneesha Patel-Sadler.

Endometriosis UK, the leading charity supporting people affected by endometriosis in the UK, has accredited Aston University as an Endometriosis Friendly Employer.

The Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme allows employers to show their commitment to developing a work environment and culture that enable employees with endometriosis to thrive at work. Endometriosis is a chronic condition affecting one in ten women and those assigned female at birth. It occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, leading to symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and heavy periods, all of which can have a significant impact on daily life, including work.

Aston University has worked closely with Endometriosis UK to attain its accreditation. This has included raising awareness of endometriosis within the organisation, sharing educational resources, promoting open conversations around women’s health, and ensuring that managers understand the impact the condition can have on employees. Aston has also sought to create a supportive culture where individuals feel comfortable speaking about their health and accessing support when needed.

As part of the initiative, Aston has appointed seven Endo Champions. These are staff members who can help raise awareness of the condition, offer support, and signpost colleagues to the help available across the University.

One of the Endo Champions is Aneesha Patel-Sadler, organisational development business partner at Aston University. She said:

“Being recognised as an endometriosis-friendly employer sends a powerful message to both current and prospective staff that Aston University takes women’s health seriously and is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace. For staff, it means feeling reassured that their health conditions will be understood and that conversations about them are welcomed rather than avoided. For prospective staff, it demonstrates that the organisation values wellbeing and is willing to put practical support in place. This can make a real difference when choosing where to work, particularly for those managing long-term health conditions.”

Aneesha has endometriosis, with her symptoms starting when she was a teenager. After years of being told by doctors that her symptoms were due to her age or that severe period pain is normal, she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis at 33, when one doctor finally took her seriously and sent her for the appropriate tests.

Those without endometriosis often do not understand the severity of the pain or the symptoms, as it is essentially an invisible disease. Aneesha has experienced pain severe enough to make her faint, made it impossible for her to walk, leave her delirious, or force her to cancel plans. Even with medication, the pain can last for six hours or more. Aneesha says that there have even been occasions when people have mistaken her condition for being drunk, simply because they cannot see what is really happening.

One of Aston University’s own academics, Dr Shagaf Bakour, a gynaecologist who is director of medical education and clinical senior lecturer at Aston Medical School, has treated Aneesha. She is particularly interested in improving awareness and earlier diagnosis of women’s health conditions. At present, she is collaborating with a colleague in the Department of Psychology, co-leading a grant application to develop a research proposal exploring alternative and supportive approaches that may help reduce the burden and suffering experienced by women living with endometriosis while waiting for gynaecological care.

Endometriosis is characterised by cycles of remission and exacerbation, and patient care often oscillates between primary/community care and secondary care, depending on the severity of symptoms and the need for medical or surgical management.

Aneesha was referred to Dr Bakour for specialist assessment and management of her symptoms. Aneesha’s care included specialist clinical management, including minimal-access investigations, to assess the impact of the condition on her wider reproductive health as part of the overall treatment approach.

Aneesha said:

“Awareness, compassion, and flexibility can make an enormous difference to someone living with endometriosis. Because it is an invisible condition, it can often be misunderstood or underestimated. Simply creating a culture where people feel safe to talk about their health and where managers are willing to listen can have a huge impact.

“Supporting employees with conditions like endometriosis isn’t just about policies; it’s about understanding that everyone’s experience is different. When organisations take the time to learn, listen, and respond with empathy, it helps people feel valued and supported, which benefits both the individual and the workplace as a whole.”

Dr Bakour said:

“Endometriosis can have a significant impact on people’s lives, yet because it is often an invisible condition, it is often overlooked or not fully understood. As clinicians, we see first-hand how much this condition can affect patients’ daily lives. Initiatives such as becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer help raise awareness and create workplaces where people feel supported to talk about their health and access the support they need.”